It’s time to let MPs know if SEND changes are working (1 June 2018)

Last year we launched our Held Back campaign to make sure no child is held back in their education because they’re autistic. Over 20,000 of you signed our open letter calling on the Government to develop a national autism and education strategy.

The Government has said they will respond to this call later in the year but in the meantime we have an important opportunity to help put on more pressure on them to make the changes you told us you want to see.

What is happening now?

In April, Parliament’s Education Committee launched an inquiry into support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which includes autism. This group of MPs scrutinises government policy on education and makes recommendations to the Government.

This is an important moment in our campaign to make sure that no autistic child is held back. If you or your child has been through the new SEND system, we need your help.

You can help by giving evidence to the Committee

By telling this group of MPs about your experiences, you can give the Committee the evidence it needs to say what should change.

Inquiries like this ask people to tell their stories through sending in written ‘evidence’. To do this, they recommend a number of themes (called ‘terms of reference’). You don’t have to send in evidence for every one of the terms of reference, just the ones that you want to.

What is the National Autistic Society doing?

We have used all the evidence that supporters like you shared about the education system and we will be submitting a response outlining what we think has worked and where more progress is needed. We believe that to make the SEND system work for autistic children in England, the Government needs to create a national autism and education strategy. Find out more here.

What is the Education Select Committee?

The Education Committee is not part of the Government, it is a body of MPs that scrutinises government policy and questions witnesses. Importantly, the Government has to respond to its reports and recommendations. This is why it’s important autism is a part of this inquiry.

The Committee welcomes people’s personal experiences but kindly ask that people stick to the terms of reference (explained above).